I don't think that I can live without soy. In Asia, so many dishes use soy in some ways. They are used in the forms of tofu, soy sauce, blackened soy beans, soy paste, soy milk, soy jelly, and more. So, when I found out that only 3 percent of the world’s soy supply is certified sustainable, I was worried. It might seem shallow, but I was worried that the world will eventually run out of soy, along with other crops.
As the article mentions, there is a strong and increasing appetite for soy around the world. In order to meet the demand, large scale soy plantations replace what used to be rainforests. It also relates the increasing demand for non-GMO food with increased certified soy in the US. However, I fail to see how labeling something as sustainable can greatly affect the method of production. I wish that the article can give examples of what other options are there when it comes to sustainable large-scale farming. The issue that is brought up here is the need for space when it comes to growing soy. However, I believe that there are other issues besides that. For example, it is not sustainable to grow similar types of crops in one place, at such a scale because of risks of them dying from the same type of diseases. Also, the use of pesticides and fertilizers are sure to affect the soil and water quality around the area. Another important issue related to soy plantations include forced labor and poor working conditions of the workers. In such a large market, it is not only environmental issues. The social aspect of them should not be neglected too...
The consumers often do not wish to feel the guilt of harming the environment, hence they seek for some kind of reassurance and approval in the form of labels. In a bid to do so, they often forget other problems associated with the food industry in general.
Source:
http://www.enn.com/business/article/46145
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